“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” — 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Have you learned how to be satisfied with where you are and with what we have in this life? Now I know this concept goes against the grain of everything we hear in our culture and society. It even sounds naïve. We should always be striving for more. Right? In our consumer driven economy, it’s the advertiser’s job to condition us to never be satisfied with what we have. If we are—Madison Avenue has not done their jobs on us. But I want you to know, as painful as it may be; such pursuits in life go against the tide of the Bible’s teaching on the matter.
Well, it was a great week for Elvis Presley on the British singles music chart. “Jailhouse Rock” was in the number one slot just days before, and then his hit, “One Night With You” took top honors. But in spite of the accomplishment, Elvis wasn’t popping champagne corks back at Graceland. Why? Because Elvis had been dead for more than thirty years. To celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley’s 70th birthday, his record label re-released all 18 of his songs that hit number one in Britain. It didn’t take long for many of the tunes to hit number one again. And despite the fact that Elvis was no longer alive, his career in Britain had never been hotter. Anyone else out there think a career that allows you to make a fortune 30 years after you’ve died is worth considering? Well, of course. But Elvis may be enjoying this part of his career a lot less than when he was alive. Money clearly isn’t everything.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, also put contentment in perspective which goes against the norm of the world, as well. He said this: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”— Matthew 6:25-33 The apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians said it this way, “My God shall supply all of your needs, according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus” — Phil. 4:19.
Now if all those promises sound almost too good to be true—it’s because they are! Now that’s an advertisement you can trust—that’s real contentment! One final thought from Robert Greene’s “Farewell to Folly”: “Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content; The quiet mind is richer than a crown.” Maranatha!
Pastor Don
